GAS OVEN: If the igniter on the bottom of the oven glows red but doesn’t ignite for several minutes, you may need a new igniter, and a service technician will need to handle that.

Do it yourself jobsinclude unclogging the burners or :

1) If the gas burners are clogged, you can clean them out with a safety pin (or other metal point… but not a toothpick since it could break off and cause a problem!).

2) If the spark plug igniters are clogged with food or grease, a toothbrush and soap will do the trick.

ELECTRIC OVEN:

A broken thermostat should be replaced by a technician.

Do it yourself jobsinclude changing the wire heating element and changing out a broken glass cooktop.

1) The wire heating element on the bottom of the oven glows bright red when the oven is turned on and the element is working properly. If you see dark spots (or ‘burn’ voids) on it, it’s not heating the way it ought to. You can order a new one, and replace it yourself . Unplug the oven and turn off the circuit breakers. The element is attached with screws. Just unscrew the screws, remove the heating element, insert the new one, and replace the screws.

2) A cracked or brokern glass-cooktop you can replace yourself. Order the part. Unplug the appliance, flip the circuit breaker to off, unscrew the screws or brackets that secure the glasstop . (They may be under the cabinet toward the front.) Then resecure the glass top.

For appliance trouble-shooting, you can refer to the owner’s manual (which you can also download online at www.appliancejournal.com ) or contact the manufacturer through their hotline for service and parts, and technicians.

Realtors wear many hats. While we don’t repair appliances, we can sell your house … and we are a wealth of resources and information for you when you are buying or selling. Call us when you’re ready to buy or sell real estate in South Florida 305 793-1365 or contact us here.